ILOCOS SUR

Northern Luzon farmers now producing world-class tobacco

NARVACAN, Ilocos Sur – Farmers produced high-quality leaves last season in northern Luzon boosting their income.

The umbrella group of tobacco farmers in Northern Luzon bared this saying the assistance of the National Tobacco Administration has resulted in the production of world-class tobacco.

As a result, farmer said theyearned more from their produce during the last trading season.

“Masaya kami at may NTA na nag-aalay sa amin (We are glad that NTA is there to help us),” Carlos Cachola, president of the Philippine Association of Tobacco Based Cooperatives, told newsmen here.

It was learned the NTA’s tobacco production and regulation officers were dispatched to the field to help the farmers throughout the production cycle from seedbed preparation to transplanting, leaf curing and trading.
Dr. Robert Bonoan, NTA farm development manager, said that Universal Leaf Philippines Inc. and Trans Manila Inc. which are both suppliers of a big cigarette manufacturing company, have worked hand in hand with the NTA in assisting the farmers, he said.

“We supervised tobacco farming throughout the Ilocos Region,” Bonoan said.

He said NTA lecturers and trainors were also of great help to Benguet vegetable farmers and in other highland areas who went into tobacco farming.

“Tumutok kami sa kanila lalo na noong may water problem sa Itogon, Benguet, Bonoan said.

His NTA team talked to Itogon Mayor Mario Godio who facilitated the use by tobacco farmers of an irrigation system being used by rice farmers. -- C. B. Molina


Bocap shot dead in front of wife, kids

SINAIT, Ilocos Sur – A barangay captain, who ran for councilor and lost in the May 14 election, was shot to death night of June 25 in Barangay Dalaquiden here, lawmen reported.

Police said the victim identified as Raymundo Laforga was inside his house when to gunmen took advantage of the heavy rain and barged in. the assailants shot him in the chest, left arm and left thigh in front of his horrified wife and children.

He was taken to the nearly Corpuz Clinic in Sinait, Ilocos Sur but doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, fisherman Jesus Clemente, 87, drowned Sunday afternoon June 24 while catching shellfish off the Padsan River here, relative reported.